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On 21 July 2018 I shall be participating in a hike up Mount Snowdon,the highest mountain in Wales, at an elevation of 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) above sea level, and the highest point in the British Isles outside the Scottish Highlands in support of The Haemochromatosis Society Challenge Event for 2018.

The Haemochromatosis Society is a charity that was founded in 1991 by people affected by genetic haemochromatosis (GH).  The society supports those affected by GH, promotes greater public awareness of GH and funds research into the cause and treatments for GH.

For those not aware, GH is often dubbed a “silent killer”.  GH is a genetic disorder causing the body to absorb an excessive amount of iron from the diet.  As a result of the genetic condition, iron can build up in the body to toxic levels. This is termed iron overload and is potentially very damaging. Iron is then deposited in various organs – mainly the liver, but also the pancreas, heart, endocrine glands, and joints. 

Having been diagnosed with GH myself in 2017, I have learned
that GH affects up to 1 in 200 in the UK, with the majority living in ignorance of both their genetic condition and how it is making them unwell.  GH is more prevalent in people of Celtic ancestry, with as many as 1 in 8 suspected as having the genetic defect.

Diagnosis of GH, unfortunately, is often made later than
ideal, perhaps at a stage where iron overload has started to cause severe symptoms or serious damage to the organs of the body, when patients are aged in their 50s/60s.  Relatively simple blood tests, genetic tests, and recognition by healthcare professionals of patterns of symptoms, should lead to diagnosis sooner than it often does. The charity works to raise awareness of GH with families, healthcare professionals and policy makers, in an effort to address this problem.

The risk of developing a serious complaint such as
cirrhosis is much too great to be overlooked. 
Early diagnosis saves lives - particularly after the age of 30.

The Haemochromatosis Society and I would be very grateful if
you would make a donation, no matter how much, in support of the 2018 Challenge Event.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally
secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Your donation will be used by The Haemochromatosis Society
to further its fantastic work in promoting this little know condition that is affecting so many people who are undiagnosed and oblivious to the genetic defect they have.